How to Sign Hi in Sign Language
Learn how to sign 'hi' in ASL. Hold a flat hand near your forehead and move it outward in a small salute or wave. Step-by-step guide and greeting tips.
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Quick answer
To sign 'hi' in ASL, hold a flat hand up near the side of your forehead and move it outward in a small salute, or simply give a friendly wave. 'Hi' and 'hello' use the same casual salute-style greeting in ASL.
How to Sign Hi in Sign Language
“Hi” is one of the friendliest, most useful signs to know in American Sign Language (ASL). To make it, hold your dominant hand flat with the palm facing outward, bring it up near the side of your forehead, and move it outward in a small, relaxed salute. A simple, friendly wave also works perfectly as a casual “hi.”
In ASL, “hi” and “hello” share this same salute-style greeting. There is no separate formal version — your facial expression and energy convey the warmth.
Step-by-Step: Signing Hi
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Handshape | Hold your dominant hand flat, fingers together. |
| 2. Palm orientation | Face the palm outward. |
| 3. Location | Raise the hand near the side of your forehead. |
| 4. Movement | Move the hand outward in a small salute. |
| 5. Add a smile | A warm facial expression completes the greeting. |
A relaxed salute or a friendly wave both read clearly as “hi.”
Hi vs. Other Greetings
ASL greetings are casual and expressive. Here is how “hi” relates to other common ones.
| Greeting | How to Sign It |
|---|---|
| Hi / Hello | Flat hand saluting outward from the forehead |
| Good morning | GOOD plus the sunrise MORNING sign |
| How are you | Both hands sweeping outward from the chest with a questioning face |
| Nice to meet you | NICE plus MEET, bringing two index hands together |
“Hi” is the quickest, most casual of these, perfect for everyday encounters.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Stiff, robotic movement. Keep the salute and wave loose and friendly.
- Hiding the palm. Face the palm outward so the greeting is visible.
- Forgetting expression. A warm, smiling face is part of a natural ASL greeting.
- Overthinking it. A simple wave is a perfectly good casual “hi.”
Hi Across Sign Languages
Greetings vary across the world’s independent sign languages.
| Sign Language | Approach |
|---|---|
| American (ASL) | Salute-style flat hand from the forehead, or a wave |
| British (BSL) | Uses its own greeting gestures |
| Australian (Auslan) | Related to BSL; differs from ASL |
| French (LSF) | Has its own vocabulary for greetings |
Related Signs to Learn Next
“Hi” connects naturally to these greeting and conversation signs:
- HELLO — the same salute-style greeting.
- HOW ARE YOU — a common follow-up question.
- NICE TO MEET YOU — NICE plus MEET.
- GOOD MORNING — GOOD plus the sunrise MORNING sign.
- BYE — a simple friendly wave goodbye.
Because greetings open nearly every conversation, “hi” is one of the highest-value first signs to learn. Pair it with a warm facial expression and you have a welcoming, natural way to start signing right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you sign 'hi' in ASL?
Hold your dominant hand flat with the palm facing outward, bring it up near the side of your forehead, and move it away from your head in a small salute. A simple friendly hand wave also works as a casual 'hi.' Both read clearly as a greeting.
Is 'hi' the same sign as 'hello' in ASL?
Yes. 'Hi' and 'hello' use the same sign — a flat hand starting near the forehead and moving outward like a relaxed salute. There is no separate, more formal sign; tone, speed, and facial expression convey how casual or warm the greeting is.
Can I just wave to say 'hi' in sign language?
Yes. A natural hand wave is a perfectly acceptable casual 'hi' in ASL and is widely understood. The salute-style greeting from the forehead is the more standard textbook form, but a friendly wave works in everyday informal situations.
Which hand do I use to sign 'hi'?
Use your dominant hand — the one you naturally write with. Keep the hand flat with the palm facing outward and move it away from the side of your forehead. Consistency with your dominant hand keeps your greetings smooth and easy to read.
Does facial expression matter when signing 'hi'?
Yes. A warm, smiling face is part of a natural greeting in ASL and conveys friendliness, just as a cheerful tone of voice would in spoken language. The handshape carries the literal meaning, but your expression makes the 'hi' feel genuine.